An attorney whose firm helps its clients open businesses and establish joint ventures in Cuba spoke to members of NAHB’s Building Materials Subcommittee about challenges and opportunities in this market for the residential construction industry.

Michael P. Hatley of Gilbert LLP in Washington, D.C. met with the subcommittee at the 2017 IBS to discuss:

U. S. regulatory changes to the export for goods and services to Cuba, including opportunities to provide building materials and other services that support of the Cuban people

Current and future business opportunities for construction, including developing joint ventures for infrastructure and telecommunications projects

Continuing challenges businesses face, along with dealing with Cuban infrastructure, payments, and setting up joint ventures with individuals and the Cuban government.

Hatley will return at the subcommittee’s June meeting with an update on what may have changed after six months with the Trump Administration.

Also during the subcommittee meeting, NAHB Director for Tax Policy & Analysis David Logan provided an economic update on selected building materials including concrete, copper, gypsum, softwood lumber, and asphalt.

Price disruptions could occur in certain commodities if the U.S. pulls out of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Logan told the members.

For additional information about the Building Materials Subcommittee, contact Felicia Watson at 800-368-5242 x8228.

While NAHB continues to monitor the current U.S. sanctions on Cuba, at this time, the association is not actively engaged in identifying ways to address private sector housing in Cuba. In June, the Trump Administration announced some tightening in the regulations related to interactions in and with Cuba. Following that announcement, the U.S. Treasury Department updated its regulations in October (Further Amendments to Cuba Sanctions Regulations). Effective Nov. 9, Treasury published an updated FAQ related to Cuba: Frequently Asked Questions Related to Cuba (Nov. 8, 2017); see also, general information from Treasury’s Resource Center on the Cuba Sanctions.